Bridget Dooling, Bonnet made by Dorothy Race, Ruth Murray's Hearts Creations Group.
Bridget Dooling, Convict No.500, police number 682 from Waterford, born circa 1829
Bridget was tried in Waterford on March 30th, 1849, for arson, with 2 others Bridget Scanlon and Mary Crowley, all of whom were found guilty and sentenced to 15 years transportation. The famine had particular relevance for convicts with 51 per cent of the female convicts being tried during famine years. Thus, some courted transportation and large numbers committed arson because it was recognised, by the courts and in the community, that arson was an effective means of securing transportation, (Snowden 2005, p.173). She further contended that many of the deliberate arsonists, like Bridget Dooling, - at least 67% - offended in pairs or groups, p.559.
Bridget departed on the Australasia 26th June 1849 from Dublin, arriving in Hobart on the 29th September 1849. She was described as being a height of 4 feet 11 inches, with a ruddy freckled complexion, dark hair and dark blue eyes. Bridget was 19 years old and single who could neither read nor write.
Bridget had a difficult time in Tasmania. She formed a de facto relationship with Michael Dawley, alias James Murphy, and had 4 children with him between 1853 and 1863. Having been free from servitude in March 1864 she married Michael in April. Sadly, he died in July 1864. Bridget fought to care for their children despite difficult circumstances. Survival depended upon her ability to negotiate with those in control and to bargain with the authorities to achieve what she believed was the best outcome for her and her children.
Bridget re-married on 7th June 1865, John Sullivan, a widower, who brought four young children with him to the marriage. This marriage was fraught with difficulty, complicated by the fact that Sullivan, a habitual drunkard, deserted Bridget, leaving her with 8 children under the age of ten. Sullivan was accused of ill-treating his wife and in 1865 was gaoled for failing to maintain his family.
Bridget died on 19th June 1892. Her nurture of her children made them survivors. Despite great odds, nearly all lived to a good age, and partnered. (Mary Vanderfeen)
Research by Eleanor Murphy, Roses from the Heart, Waterford and Mary Vanderfeen, great great granddaughter of Bridget Dooling 2023.
References:
FCRC Female Convicts Van Diemen’s Land Database [online], available: https://itsfilemaker4.its.utas.edu.au/fmi/webd/Female_Convicts_in_VDL_database [accessed 1 October 2020].
Snowden, D (2005). A White Rag Burning: Irish women who committed arson in order to be transported to Van Diemen's Land [online] Theses (Doctor of Philosophy), University of Tasmania, available: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/16094/2/whole-snowden-thesis-2013.pdf [accessed 9 November 2020].